TNAG-1860-FCO40-2635-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 22

UNCLASSIFIED

156X?:.

MDHIAN 3540

ADJUDGED INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS COULD BE REPLACED

BY AN AMENDED ONE WHICH WAS COMPATIBLE. THE TIMETABLE FOR ENACTMENT OF THE BILL IS UNUSUALLY SHORT, AND IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO REVIEW ALL EXISTING LEGISLATION BEFORE IT IS ENACTED. HENCE THE NEED FOR A GRACE PERIOD AFTER PASSAGE OF THE BILL TO ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY REAL AREAS OF DOUBT REGARDING COMPATIBILITY.

-

THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE REVIEW WILL ONLY BEGIN AFTER PASSAGE OF THE BILL. WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN. INDEED, WE HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED SOME AREAS WHERE EXISTING HONG KONG LAWS EVEN THOSE WHICH REFLECT DEEPLY HELD VIEWS MAY NEED AMENDMENT IF THEY ARE TO BE BROUGHT FULLY INTO LINE WITH THE BILL. OUR LAWS GOVERNING HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR FALL WITHIN THIS CATEGORY.

WILSON

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

59

DISTRIBUTION

62

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

.(RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH (FE)

PUSD

NEWS D

PS/MR MAUDE

PS/LORD BRABAZON

MR GILLMORE

MR MCLAREN

MR MOSS

ADDITIONAL

3

MR EDWARDS LEGAL ADV

MR WHOMERSLEY LEGAL ADV

MR FIFOOT HKD

NNNN

4

PAGE UNCLASSIFIED